There are 9 common snags you may encounter when you upgrade your server (capacity, OS level, non-supported devices, etc.). Double check to understand what is involved when you change hardware server.
I will cover 9 Common Software Upgrade Pitfalls in my next blog.
You must do your research!
Prepare your checklist to avoid these common upgrade pitfalls.
Research Your Needed Steps To Move From An Older Server To A Newer Server.
- Appropriate Capacity. Is your new server properly sized for your OS level, workload, and predictable growth? Over the years, I have seen configurations that have been undersized or WAY over-sized. It pays to work with a “pro” experienced in system performance characteristics and the IBM configuration tool.
- OS Level Upgrade Plan. Chances are you will upgrade your OS Level. Take the time to plan how you will upgrade your OS level to the newer version. You may be faced with one of two challenges: 1) your older servers may not support newer OS versions (i.e. you cannot upgrade your system from V5R4 to V7R1 on a 9406-820…the 820 does not support V7R1), or 2) your older server may not have enough disk storage to complete an upgrade. If either of these is an issue, you need to plan an approach to move your down-level software to an interim server to upgrade to your new server.
- Compatible Tape Media. What tape media is in place to transfer your system to a newer server? For example, if your current server has a QIC tape and the new server has an LTO6 tape drive, what plan is in place to transfer your system for testing and go live? Will you need to make special arrangements to read archived tape backup that is no longer compatible with your new server?
- Communication Changes. How do you deal with changes in communications? For example, you may still be using V.24 to connect with your EDI VAN or credit card processing. When you upgrade do you still want to use V.24, or change to Ethernet/Web connectivity?
- Non-Supported Devices. Take the time understand what devices are NOT supported with a newer server. For example, newer IBM POWER servers do not support Twinax or SCSI devices. Determine if you can use interim devices like Ethernet-to-Twinax devices to continue using Twinax 6400 printers, or if you need to buy newer peripheral devices like a SAS tape drive to replace the SCSI tape drive. You may also have older style disk drives and chassis that may not migrate to the newer servers.
- Backup, Recovery, and Redundancy. Review your backup, power, environment and recovery procedures to validate it can support your new system and rebound from the unexpected. Don’t overlook factors that can affect your new hardware such as backup, offsite data protection, sufficient HVAC, power, and redundancy. Are you capable to smoothly recover if some aspect of the computer environment fails? Can you easily recover your backup and get live in an acceptable time frame from unexpected downtime?
- Backups Before Upgrade Process Is Started. Often, a substantial portion of daily backups do not capture everything needed for a full restore, even if you already have a 21 Save. I have talked to too many clients who don’t even do 21 saves (yikes!). This is of particular concern when doing same server upgrades because without a clean, complete backup there is no way to revert if there are problems.
- Backup Reliability. Tape is a single point of failure, so if there is something wrong with the tape or tape drive, there may not be a good backup. This is becoming more of an issue on older systems where the tape drives are wearing out, cleaning tapes are getting hard to find, and sometimes the same tape cartridges have been used for years, far exceeding the recommended number of passes by the manufacturer.
- OS Level Pitfalls. IBM only supports skipping one level (i.e. V5R1 can go to V5R3 but not V5R4, or V5R3 can go to V6R1 but not V7R1). That means that V5R4 clients can’t upgrade in one step to V7R2 or V7R3 if they want to. For example, a 9406-820 at V5R3 does an intermediate conversion to V5R4 before it can move to V7R1 to run on a new POWER8.
I will cover 9 Common Software Upgrade Pitfalls in my next blog.
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